The Growth Program is our long-term initiative to increase innovation among small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the Baltics, helping them grow and closing the gap with the EU average.
By supporting innovation, we aim to strengthen the Baltics economy and competitiveness. Since businesses are at different stages in their innovation journey, the Growth Program is flexible. Whether a company is just getting started or looking to scale something new, the support is tailored to their needs. From gaining fresh insights and improving processes to developing products or testing technologies like AI.
The program runs in all three Baltic countries, and the approach is shaped by local needs. In some places, the focus is on connecting startups with corporates; in others, it is to drive innovation in a specific industry or tech area.
Growth Program
in Estonia
Estonia's Growth program supports SMEs in their digital transformation using AI and data. The program consists of three steps:
- Webinars introducing practical AI topics like AI in sales and employee support during transformation.
- In-person events across Estonia, where companies share real-life AI use cases and experiences.
- Workshops for selected businesses, guiding them through developing their own AI solutions.
in Latvia
The SEB Growth program in Latvia is a 2-month program for SMEs that want to either develop new ideas or improve internal processes. It is built together with the RTU Science and Innovation Center Design Factory and managed at three different levels. The first level, Level «Impulse» is open for everybody who wants to gain more knowledge on building a business. Our aim is to help companies test new ideas, strengthen their business models, and prepare for future growth. For levels Power and Energy - companies take part in four workshops and work closely with mentors to improve their concepts. The program is free and open to selected businesses, whether or not they are SEB clients.
in Lithuania
The program strengthens Lithuania’s innovation ecosystem by connecting startups and corporates to foster collaboration and economic growth. It has two streams: Startups Stream that supports early-stage founders with education, networking, and access to corporate clients. Corporates Stream helps large companies innovate through startup partnerships, bootcamps, and learning sessions. We deliver the program in partnership with FIRSTPICK and Katalista Ventures and actively support the ecosystem as a main sponsor of events like Startup Fair and Investor Camp.
Partnership is central to the Growth Program. We work with local universities, business networks, and companies to bring together a mix of expertise. This collaboration gives SMEs access to wider knowledge, skills, and connections - ensuring they get the support they need to grow.
We ourselves like to test and iterate, hence the Growth Program is constantly evolving. We research the needs of entrepreneurs, hear the feedback, and adapt based on Alumni experience.
